Opened in the 1940s as a food store operated by the United Farmers of Alberta in Calgary and eventually changing hands to the Alberta Co-operative Wholesale Association (ACWA) in 1951, the Calgary Co-operative Association was founded to operate the Calgary food store independently of the ACWA, partially due to member dissatisfaction with how the ACWA managed the venture. The Calgary Co-operative association purchased the Calgary store from ACWA in 1956 for $58,000.

Calgary Co-op is one of the largest retail co-operatives in North America. With over 440,000 members, 3400 employees, assets of $441 million and annual sales over $1 billion, Calgary Co-op, Calgary’s local fresh market is committed to be a leader in food, petroleum, home health care, pharmacy and travel. Investing over 3 million into the Calgary community, Calgary Co-op supports numerous not-for-profit and charitable organizations within the city.